A mosaic of broken pieces of colorful and intricate china became Marie Neri”s beautiful reminder of the strongest earthquake to strike Northern California in 25 years.

“It”s a nice way to commemorate something terrible, and this event,” Neri said.

The Vallejo resident joined dozens of others at a “quake party” organized by local mosaic artist Sherry Tobin and downtown Vallejo”s The Hub from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday at the art space.

“This community really comes together,” said Chris Vardijan, cofounder of The Hub. “We have the strongest community that I know. (The event) is taking something people think is worthless and creating it into something phenomenal.”

The 6.0 South Napa earthquake didn”t just cause hundreds of millions of dollars in Napa — it also affected many in Vallejo.

Vallejoans were invited to bring pieces of their broken ceramics and china to the event to turn it into mosaic art that they could bring home.

Neri said she has been collecting tea cups and saucers for the past five years, and many of her favorites were destroyed in the quake.

“It”s not that much in comparison to what other people lost,” she said. “But (the mosaic) will give me as much joy as the china itself.”

Though the event was a result of a disaster, the atmosphere Saturday was far from somber. Strangers and friends huddled together around long tables to work on their art and help each other, serenaded by live music. Food and refreshment were also provided.

Vallejo City Councilwoman Katy Miessner also brought broken pieces to contribute to the event.

“When I first heard the idea I thought it”s fantastic,” Miessner said. “What a great way to heal. Some people have lost really valuable things. … This is one of the examples of many great things that Vallejo people are doing.”

The broken pieces were also used to create a mosaic sculpture of an angel that will be donated to the St. Vinnie”s Community Garden in the fall.

The statue would be dedicated in memory of Andrea Laurette Mrotz, a 29-year-old Vallejo woman who was fatally struck by a train in Davis last year. The garden is planning to hold the dedication ceremony sometime in late October or early November, around the one-year anniversary of Mrotz”s death.

The final grouting of the angel will be done at the Unity Festival on Sept. 14 at Vallejo City Park.